How Alpha Leopard Geckos Started...
Where it all started for me was when I was looking around in a pet shop years ago where I saw some leopard geckos for sale. I was 13 and had been talking with my parents for years about having one and it just so happened here they were! I looked into it and found what I needed to take care of them I collected all the stuff I needed including hides, humid hides and heat mats but decided with my fathers help to make my own vivarium. Then we made it out of an old fish tank but it worked well at the time and as I got older I quickly learnt to make my own wooden vivariums! My first gecko at that age surprisingly or not was called leo (lol) however when I got older and had more experience I bought myself more. Now a lot older and more experienced I am still expanding my collection and have lots of geckos for you to view on the available page.
A little about Leopard geckos (Eublepharis macularis)
Leopard geckos are originally form India and Pakistan they are one of the family of eyelid geckos their scientific name Eublepharis macularis (said you-ble-Fair-iss-mac-you-Lair-ee-us) means “spotted eyelid gecko”.
Originally they would inhabit arid grassland and rocky areas so to make your vivarium more homely add some rocks (make sure you disinfect them first). They usually grow to around 8 inches and are most commonly spotted like a leopard hence the name.However they are now seen more and more as designer geckos and there are new colours coming out each week it seems like sometimes the latest of which is a Diablo Blanco.
The Albino which used to be a rarity is becoming more common and there are many more so called morphs on the market, such as SHCT (super hypo carrot tail), Hybinos, Temper Albino, Rainwater Albino, Bell Albino, Raptor, Aptor, Mack snow, Super snow and many more all of which are bred through selective breeding to bring out the colours to the breeders requirements.
As well as colours of Leopard geckos being changed they have been bred for size too and now there are giant and super giant leopard geckos becoming more available. The giant being about a third bigger than normal leos and the super giant larger again. The leopard gecko is an interesting little thing as with most geckos it can perform autotomy this is where all or a part of the tail may fall off if pulled or the gecko is threatened by a predator as a mechanism of defence.
The tail will grow again but will not look as nice as it originally did it will normally be fatter and shorter and bare more resemblance to the head. So it is usually a good idea not to grab the tail of you little guy lol.
Leopard geckos are fairly easy to look after and if you go to our caring for gecko’s page you can find information on the basic set up needed and the diet and requirements of your future pet. Alternatively if you have read that page and are eager to get a Leopard gecko take a look at our available leopard geckos page.
